Pigeon-feeder.



No. 865,773. A PATENTED SEPT.'10, 1907.

J. R. ELLIOTT.

PIGEON FEEDER. APPLICATION IILED un. g. 1907.

2 SHBETS-SKBET 1.

THE NORRIS PETERS co., WASHINGCN, D. c

No.865,773. PATENTEDSEPT.IO,I907.

J. R. ELLIOTT.

PIGEON FEEDER.

PPLIOATION IILED JAN. 2. 1907.

2 SBEBTS-SHEET 2.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR c.

JOHN B. ELLIOTT, OF OAMDEN, NEW JERSEY.

PIGEON-FEEDER.

/ Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 10, 1907.

Application filed January 2, 1907. Serial No. 350,498.

T0 all whon z't may concem:

Be it known that I, JOHN R. ELLIOTT, a citizen 01 the United States, residing at Camden, county of Camden, State of New Jersey, have invented a new and useful Pigeon-Feeder, of which the following is a specification.

The purpose of my invention is to secure cleanliness and economy in the eeding of pigeons.

A further purpose of my invention is to make the device adjustable for the purpose of determining the amount of feed to be supplied.

A urther purpose of my invention is to provide means of ready access for leaning my device.

A further purpose of my invention is to provide an automatic closure for the feeding aperture.

A urther purpose of my invention is to prevent crowding of the pigeons at the feeding point.

A further purpose of my invention is to restrict the times of eeding by means preventing interference of vermin.

A urther purpose of my invention is to close the eed openings duririg a predetermined portion of the day or night.

A further purpose of my invention is to protect the food against waste and uncleanliness.

A urther purpose of my invention is to determine the amount of food which shall be available at all times.

My invention further consists of novel details of construction, all as Will be hereinaiter ully set forth.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of one form of construction embodying my invention. Fig. 2 represents a cross-section of Fig. 1 upon lii1e Fig. 3 represents a side elevation of a closing mechanism. Fig. 4 represents a portion of a closing mechanism embodying a modification of that shown in Fig. 3.

Similar numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in the figures.

Referring to the drawings: 1 designates a plurality of posts upon which is preferably mounted my structure, the posts being united in the form shown by guards 2 and supporting a top 3 and a table 4. The guards 2 prevent too free access of the pigeons to the eed openings 5 in the plate 6.

Within the. frame which I have described, or within any suitable or similar trame, I mount a holder 7, Within which the feed 8 is intended to be contained, said holder being mounted in the form shown, by means of a threaded support 9, which performs several fonctions in that it aflords means for support of the holder or container 8, means for adjustment of the height of the saine and a filling tube for the insertion of the food Within the container. The cap 10 is held against rotation in any suitable manner as by a pin 11 fitting in a slot 12 within the tube 9. It Will thus be seen that the tube and container can be raised and lowered readily by turning upon the cap 10. 1 support the threaded tube 9 Within a threaded fiange 13, which I have shown as secured against rotation upon the top 3, by means of pins 14. Other means of adjustment could evidently be used.

In the side of the container at any suitable point or points, 1 form a longitudinal opening 15 closed by means of a transparent plate 16, preferably of glass or similar transparent or translucent material, this opening affording means for determining the height of the food in the container without removal of the cap 10.

The container 7 preferably terminates in a tube or mouth piece 17, Within which 1 place any desired form of valve 18 by which the fioW of food can be stopped or regulated. The tube 17 preferably extends below the plate 6 into the chamber formed by a drawer 19 having a bottom 20, front 21, rear end 22 and sides 23. The end 22 is most desiiably pivoted t0 swing either way and spring supported in both directions as at 24, so that it may pass the tube 17 in either direction With0ut injuring the end. With this construction the drawer may be removed or replaced With the tube 17 in place. When it is desired to clean the drawer for any purpose, the supply of material is eut off by the valve 18 and the drawer is removed. Any portion of the contents of the drawer which can be used again can readily be returned to the drawer or receiver and the drawer returned to place.

The ring or plate 6 with its openings 5 permits the feeding 01 but a single bird ateach opening. It thus prevents interference With the feeding. At the same time, the supports or standards 1 likewise prevent too much crowding of the birds.

The depression of the eeding floor below the level upon which the bird stands is a most desirable thing, but has been considered inconsistent With suitable accessibility of the eeding floor for cleaning purposes and protection of the iood against Waste. With my invention the lateral displacement of the lood by the birds when feeding is restricted and does not remove the food from the eeding box or fioor and it is possible to limit the number of birds eeding at one time and to suitably cover and protect the food against dust and dirt.

In order to protect against mice or like animale, I may provide an automatic closure cutting off: communication with the openings 5. I illustrate one form of this automatic closure in Figs. 3, and 4 using slightly diiferent operating mechanism in the two figures.

In Fig. 3 I have shown a motor mechanism embodying a pendulum 26 bearing on an escapement 27, which by means of its latch wheel 28 and the train et pinions and gears 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 and 34 regulates the release of spring 35, which release carries the ratchet wheel 36 about and moves the arm 37. The ratchet wheel is controlled by a latch 38. The movement of the arm 37 is communicated by means of link 39 to a yoke 40 which is connected to a sleeve or cylinder 41 inclosing the eed chamber 7. In its lowermost position the cylinder 41 wiil evidently close the space through which the pou1try or pigeons are intended normally to feed and will chus not only ont off: a;ccess of the poultry to said space but will prevent access of vermin thereto. The times of movement of the arm 37 may evidently be arranged as desired.

Where a large number of birds are to be fed and where the time during which the eeding apertures shonld be opened is therefore to be extended or where for any other reason it is desirable to vary the openng and closing of this mechanism so as to open and close it more quickly, or for different lengths of time than would occur With mechaniem such as shown in Fig. 3, I provide mechanism of the character shown in Fig. 4 in which a casing or sleeve 42 is lifted by the yoke 43 which yoke is pivoted at 44 and extended in the form of an arm 45, which cornes Within the path of any suitable cam 46 upon a shat 47, said shaft 47 corresponding to shaft 48 of my mechanism of Fig. 3 or to any desirable or suitabie motor shaft. I have shown this shait 47 driven by a gear 49 but it might be otherwiee driven or even moved by hand. The design of the cam will determine the proportion and relation of opening and closing time and the speed of movement.

It Wfll be evident that varions forms of container may be made use of and that other means may be used to adjust the height of the container or of the feed floor 20, so as to vary the distance therebetween.

It will be evident that other means than the drawer 19 may be made use of to secure ready removal of this feeding fioor for cleansing purposes.

It will be evident that other automatic closures than my device shown in Figer. 3 and 4 maylbe used to some advantage and without departing from my invention, still securing a portion of the benefit thereof.

Having thns described my invention, what I daim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s:-

1. In a device of the character deserbed, a feeding floor, a table above the level of the feeding fioor, and a vertically adjnstable container opening in proximity to said feeding floor.

2. In a device of the character described, a feeding table, a feeding floor below the level thereof, a container having an opening therein, and means for relatively adjustingthe fioor and container to vary the distance therebetween.

3. In a device of the character described, a table, a removable floor depressed with relation thereto, 21 container emptying in proximity to said fioor, and menus foi shut ting off the fiow from the container.

4. In a device of the character described, a feed chnm ber having openings permitting access to the feed, a casing movable longitndinally of said chamber, and time actnated lnechnnism for n1oving the cusing.

5. In a device of the character described, :r feeding chamber having an opening permitting access to the feed, means for cntting ofit access to the feed, a cam actuuting said means, and independent menns for moving said Gain.

6. In a device of the character described, a feeding chamber having an opening permitting access to the feed, means for cntting off access to the feed, and time aetumted mechanism for moving said closing menus.

7. In a device of tne churacter described, :1 feed chamber, means for monnting said chamber to provide feeding space therebelow, a casing movable longitudinally of said chamber and menns for antomatically rnoving the cnsing along said chamber.

JOHN R. ELLIOTT.

Witnesses:

W. T. JACKSON, JOHN A. W1nnnnsnnm. 

